Personal Computer News


Firebug

Categories: Review: Software
Author: Simon Williams
Publisher: Acornsoft
Machine: BBC Model B

 
Published in Personal Computer News #095

FIREBUG

Not another platform game, running up ladders and along ledges! Well, not really. Although those elements are present, the idea is original and its neat execution provides one of the most hair-tearing, frustrating games I've played in a long while.

You act the part of a fireman who is desperately trying to deal with the chaos caused by a firebug. The young arsonist is doing his best to burn down the warehouse where the game is set.

He has an extended taper with which he lights fires on the ledges. These gradually creep along the beams until they reach a wall.

Firebug

Against this wall may be an extinguisher or, worse, a can of petrol. Either will explode on contact. You must take the cans to the safety of the cold water tank in the roof, and put the fires out with the extinguishers.

Unfortunately, you can only carry one vessel at a time. And touching either the firebug or any of his fires knocks you to the ground floor. You can begin to see the difficulties involved in the game.

Each petrol explosion adds ten degrees to the temperature and at 100C the whole building goes up. There are three different screens. Screen three features two firebugs, while the fourth starts with a higher temperature.

Firebug

The game is well animated, with the large figures moving convincingly around the screen. Sound effects are realistic rather than exciting, but since they're mainly bangs and squirts, this is reasonable.

There are a couple of minor problems with the game, however, which make it less enjoyable. On occasions, particularly at the higher levels, the swapping of extinguisher for petrol can doesn't always work. This can be very frustrating when time is tight. Also the placing of the jump key is awkward. With up and down being * and ?, and extinguish being Return, why on earth choose Shift for jumping?

A good game, despite these little foibles.

Simon Williams

Other Reviews Of Firebug For The BBC Model B


Firebug (Acornsoft)
A review by Dave E (EUG PD)

Firebug (Acornsoft)
A review by J.D. (Home Computing Weekly)

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